The iHV is excited to launch the new iHV Genomics Ambassador training programme – designed to improve health visitor knowledge and understanding of genomics when delivering universal health visiting services.

The significance of genomic medicine as part of current healthcare is an important area of learning in health visiting. The programme aims to support health visitors to apply genomics into their practice, when working in partnership with families to support prevention and early intervention (NMC 2022, D.2).

Delivered via a one-day training event, the programme will support Ambassadors to understand the importance of genomics, the implementation of the national genomics programme, and to link with their local Genomic Medicine Service Alliance (GMSA). It will support health visitors in their conversations with families on genomics, using the principles of partnership working. As part of the Ambassador programme, health visitors will be able to continue their professional development through access to a suite of iHV resources on genomics and share their knowledge with colleagues.

We are delighted to announce three training events in Spring 2025. These will align to specific Genomics Medicine Service Alliance areas in England (thanks to funding from NHS England, these are fully-funded training places, with no additional costs for those attending).

Want to find out more? Contact us at [email protected] – and look out for email communications in the coming weeks.

In support of World Autism Acceptance Week 2022 (28 March – 3 April), we are delighted to tell you about our fantastic upcoming training opportunity for you to become a Changing Conversations: Autism & Supporting Behaviour Ambassador.

The aim of the programme is to equip you to be Ambassadors for Changing Conversations when supporting families when they have concerns that their child may have autism.

This is a hosted event, and you will have the opportunity to network and share practice with HVs from other areas and organisations. The training is suitable for qualified health visitors with an interest in neurodiversity and supporting parents of autistic children. You will also be offered the opportunity to receive additional training to support you to:

  • share your learning with your health visitor colleagues.
  • enhance the support that health visitors offer to these families.

This one day Ambassador training event will equip HVs to act as advocates for parents with children who may be autistic. It will introduce resources including: Good Practice Points, Parent Tips, films, case studies, parent and child stories, along with collated research and literature to support a broader knowledge base and provide quality-assured resources that families can be signposted to. Finally, there is a PowerPoint Awareness session that Ambassadors can share with colleagues.

Objectives of the training

  • To raise awareness of the specific needs of families of children with autism
  • To understand what a child’s behaviour is communicating, and how to support families
  • To apply learning to wider early intervention with all families
  • To be aware of evidence-based practice for HVs in this subject
  • To be able to access resources to consolidate learning and support practice

Book your place today

Demand is high – so don’t miss out on this great opportunity.

Changing Conversations: Autism & Supporting Behaviour Ambassador Training

  • Date: 18 May 2022
  • Time: 09:00-16:30
  • Location: Online via Zoom

Cost: iHV Members: £200
Non-Members: £225

How to book

To apply, send your completed application form to [email protected]

Participant feedback:

“ Thank-you. The training was amazing.”

“The views and feeling of those with autism were insightful and useful. After all, who better to tell us what a lived experience is like than those living it!”

“I feel all health visiting and early years staff should attend this training. It can make a positive impact on practice”

 

“I was blown away by all the information in this toolkit. It really is going to be beneficial for myself and my colleagues to use”

“The information contained in this kit is very informative and has changed my practice, just what we need to support children with autism”

 

“I feel more confident to offer parents possible strategies to cope with their child’s distressed behaviour”

“I will be listening better to parents when they share concerns and try to unpick with them more what they are experiencing with their child”